Fire crews called to blazes in West Drayton and Uxbridge in hectic day

SIX fire engines and 35 crew members dealt with a fire in a flat at Park Lodge Avenue, West Drayton, on Monday morning. A flat on the fourth floor was badly damaged.

Station Manager Simon Tuhill, who was at the scene, said: “Around 30 people self evacuated from the block before we arrived. Thankfully, no-one was injured.

“Living in a flat is no more dangerous than living in a house, but it’s important to know that your fire plan should be different.

“Flats and maisonettes are built to give you some protection from fire – a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 60.

“Walls, floors and doors will hold back flames and smoke for a time. If there is a fire elsewhere in the building but not inside your home, you're usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.”

Crews were called at 9.30am and the fire was under control by 10.45. Officers from Heathrow, Feltham, Hillingdon, Heston, Southall and Twickenham stations were at the scene. The cause is under investigation.

On Monday afternoon, at 3.30, a total of 21 firefighters from Northolt, Ruislip and Southall attended a fire in a detached house in Harefield Road, Uxbridge.

A smoke alarm alerted a woman, who left the house before crews arrived. She was unhurt.

Around half of the ground floor was badly damaged. The fire was under control just after 4pm.